Reverse painting

 In order to create a batik, the artist must be able to envision each step in reverse. Instead of painting an area where a color or design is planned, wax is applied to keep it free of color. It’s a multi-layered process, one that area 4-H club members had the chance to experience at a Wednesday morning workshop at the fairgrounds in York.
Once wax had been applied, kids immersed their fabric in dye, coloring all remaining areas which were wax-free. Fabric squares were then dried and put through the process again if necessary. The more colorful and detailed the batik, the more steps necessary.
According to 4-H Visual Arts Online, “Batik is an old art form practiced in many countries across the globe. It is difficult to say where batik originated, but most likely in Asia. Ancient samples of clothing with batik designs have been found in the Far East, Middle East and Central Asia.”
Two sessions of the workshop were given by Lori Suddarth. Parents and York County Extension Educator Eileen Krumbach also took part. Over the course of the day more than 30 youth tried their hand at the age old art, creating works which will be exhibited at the County Fair later this summer.